Syd > Recent Status Updates

I don’t hate this book…. It’s just that I’ve realized what kind of book this is 😂 it’s not plotless, it’s just that the plot for sure comes second 😂 and I’m not into how grumpy Kyran is. Like I’m sure he has shit that has gone down in his life, but I feel like he’s just taking it out on everyone around him. I don’t want to DNF 2 books in a row, they were anticipated! But we’ll see.

This book didn’t do it for me! I gave it 4 hours, just over a quarter way through and I just am not feeling it. I’m not into the plot, I’m not into the characters, I was excited about this one, but it’s just not doing it for me. Going to DNF because I just don’t see it getting better! Plus I just feel like if I have to give your book that long to get good, it’s just not for me, and that’s okay!

Why is Kyran so grumpy??? Like what did anyone ever do to him? 😭 Avi is so sweet, like he signed up to be the mascot for the college football team and he’s just out here vibing, why did Kyran run up on him when he realized Avi was the mascot and borderline attack him??? Like damn, what did this sweet boy do to you? 😂

This book had me gripped from beginning to end and I can’t wait to read more by this author and from this series! 5 stars for sure! I haven’t felt this way about a romance the whole year and to feel so giddy and butterflies in my stomach was absolutely everything. I need books like this to remind me sometimes that good love exists out there for someone ❤️

Loved her! I loved the relationship, I loved Enzo and how much he yearned, and it felt like the right amount of spice balanced with the plot! One thing I really appreciated was that despite Venesa being a strong independent woman who definitely didn’t need a man to back her up, Enzo would tell her “I know you can handle this alone but that doesn’t mean you should have to” and that struck a cord real deep 😭

Lmaooooo, one final note. Props to audiobook narrators and how well they read some of the scenes, because I don’t think I could do it. I can’t keep a straight face listening sometimes so I’m like how do they read this with their whole chests? Amazing voice acting skills! It’s amazing how much of a difference an amazing narrator can make to reading a book!

This book makes me feel giddy! Like kicking legs and screaming, giddy 😂 I haven’t felt this much for a book the whole year and the only book that came close was Midnight Sun, which amazing book, but Twilight lmao. I love Venesa and Enzo’s connection and the yearning in this book before anything happened has been top notch. It was slow burning, but now they’ve stopped holding back. Love this book sooo much rn

But that being said, I’m not re-rating this book. Some books I feel like earn themselves a place in my book hall of fame and this is just one of those books because it was the first book I read with that mix of humor, darkness, and romance. So yeah, it was nice re-reading the first 2 books after the disappointing end to the trilogy to see that I did truly love the start of the series. Until we meet again on reread!

I felt a little conflicted finishing this book because I see why I gave it 5 stars and I think if I were to re-rate it (I’m not going to) that I might give it a 4.5. I love what this book did for me. This book showed me humor could mix with sexiness and darkness and just make for a super fun book. My one complaint and what would lose the book half a star…… it drags and repeats itself a few too many times

I forgot how fun the end sequencing is with them trying to cover their tracks. I’m not an action girly, but for whatever reason, sign me up for a side of action with my romance 😂 also, why do I feel like this book talked more about the mafia activities than Caught Up when we’re following a member of said mafia? 😂 I’m not complaining, Caught Up was perfect, I just think it’s funny.

I thought it would be nice to reread this book and the timing feels right, I might just take my time a little and read it when the wind calls me to! I love Jude and am excited to read his story again, if not a little scared. But I might take a little detour and read a romance or two before I come back and focus in! I’m feeling like a sad girlie, but a romantic sad girlie if that makes any sense 😂

That’s literally like my only complaint is I feel like that was so quick. Yes it introduces us to the extended family though which is probably the more important part of that 😂 the only other thing I’m noticing this time is how much more dirty this book feels than the second book. The second book explores cam work and voyeurism, but I think this book feels more kinky just because it’s more intimate.

I’ve been enjoying the reread! Upon reread I will say the second book is my favorite! This first one is great and the whole reason I continued on in the first place, but the second book is definitely more emotional and just up my alley. Josh’s backstory is fantastic and makes him such an interesting character, but I feel like the death of Brad felt quick? Like it just comes on and then is over within like 5 pages

Had an absolute blast rereading! I love Nic and Lo as separate people, but them together is just love. This book was so funny and I loved the snippets of Aly and Josh in there too! Next up we will be reading Lights Out because how could I not after reading this book?? I do think the end setup is cute how you could go straight into the 3rd book, it’s just a shame I don’t like Tyler lmao not even in this book

At all, and that hasn’t bothered me in the slightest. I love stories with built in history that left a hole of some sort that needs to be healed in present timeline. I love how Junior is a softie for Lauren and calls her Lo and doesn’t realize he’s in love with her (but obviously he is) ugh this book speaks so well to me and the reread has been fantastic! Also first reread of 2026 so that’s fun!

Absolutely having a blast, something I’m noticing this reread: absolutely still love the book, 5 stars, but because of the nature of her job and the romance genre, there’s a lot of sexual talk and tension early on and throughout and it’s funny because I didn’t even realize or think about the fact that it’s the first time we’re actually talking about love, or romance, or the idea of being together (pt 1)

I am loving rereading this book and will reread Lights Out next! I still am in Love with Nico (Junior) and Lauren, I can definitely say rereading this book the second time, you def need to be veeeeery sex positive to like this book and luckily I am, so we’re all good, but on my reread I can definitely understand why this book wasn’t a hit with everyone. It’s out there, that is for sure 😂 but I love it!

4 stars feels appropriate! The quidditch matches in this book were so funny! Absolutely cracked me up and I was soooo happy when they won the cup for Woods last year! Also lmao, tell me why I teared up at the end when Sirius sent Harry the signed permission slip for Hogsmeade? Like it was not that serious, but it felt that serious,lmao. Onto the next one! I’m couch-bound with a hurt foot and plenty of time to read!

Had so much fun reading and being back in the Harry Potter universe! Enjoyed this book quite a bit and Azkaban was always my favorite movie so reading the book for it finally was fun! I don’t know, I think I’m in it now 😂 I don’t know if I’ll finish the whole series in one row like I did for Twilight, but I think for now at least I’m going to carry on to the next book!

I could have sworn I did an update, but whatever. It wasn’t in my bingo card to read the Harry Potter series this year, but you know, stranger things have happened and omg the full cast audiobooks are sooooo good! Although it’s funny I just got used to the kid actors and now I’m going to switch to the teen ones and not recognize voices 😂 it’s fine, it’s fine 😂

I can’t believe I am trying to read this book for the third time….. you know what though, I read the Twilight series this year so crazier things have happened I guess…. A video about the full cast audiobooks came across my YouTube and I fell sucker to it 😂 got 2 credits for free by renewing my audible and can’t lie, the aduiobook is amazing! Not far in, but absolutely enjoying the experience!

The writing and shadow falls universe is very familiar, what I didn’t realize would be so different are Della’s storylines compared to Kylie’s. I like Della…. I do find her a little too stubborn for me 🫣 but I know she’ll have her growth in the series and I’m excited to see it! I feel so bad about her parents, I hope something with that will improve by the end. 3.5 stars! But I’m going to round down.

I am enjoying this book, I will say I wish we were spending a little more time character building with Chase. Though to be fair if we’re meant to focus on him more later and this was Steve’s chance to shine, I’m alright with that. Della is a little too stubborn, I wish she would lighten up and I hate to say grow up a little more, but…. So I’m not loving her as much as Kylie, but all is good!

I’m enjoying listening to this book! Love being back in the shadow falls universe and Della is both funny as well as one of those characters you want to protect with your soul. One comment….. I just started rewatching Pretty Little Liars so Burnett saying Della was different and special and all that is giving major red flags even though I know it’s not like that 😂 lmao, anyways

To update, those bonus scenes were nothing special…. The most interesting one was the one from Fred the cat when Josh broke in 😂Tyler just did not do it for me and I wanted him to…. Like don’t get me wrong, loved the fact that he was into the whole brat thing, not going to lie their sex scenes got kind of cute, but that was the only part of the book that really did anything for me. I loved the first two tho!

Okay, the last 20% was pretty good, but that doesn’t make up for the rest of the book being so meeeh. Like the payoff was there, but I feel like the setup was just so lacking that I didn’t connect properly. The book had potential, but it just wasn’t there….. it’s a solid 2 star….. there are some bonus scenes so I’ll listen to those and if I have anything to say be back to update. But yeah….. sad lmao

I keep thinking that at any minute it’s going to turn around and be the series I’ve loved….. but it’s getting worse 😭 at first I thought no higher than a 4, then no a 3, now I’m dead ass leaning toward a 2 😭 I loved the first two books in the series I don’t know what happened but I am just not connecting with the characters, I’m lost on the plot, it’s all just happening so fast! Lmaooo

How many times can I come on here and be like ‘I’m reading this book…… for real this time!’ 😂 I don’t know, I guess we’ll find out! I intend to read this book all the way through this time, but as usual, we’ll see where the wind pulls me! My reading journey often works in mysterious ways.

I am connecting to the characters more, but can’t believe I’m almost 50% in 😬 if this were any other author/book I’d probably dnf it, but because I have faith in this author and series, I’m at least giving it the grace to see where it goes 😂 it’s fine truly, you win some and you lose some and the first two books in this series were an absolute joy for me so I’m happy enough!

A cute Heartstopper addition! I liked the tough issues they dealed with in this book and seeing Charlie gain some independence and confidence in this book was lovely ❤️ I’m excited to see what they’ll get up to in book six and how the series will conclude. Nick and Charlie’s story has been so wholesome to read ❤️ 4 lovely stars around!